Disabled Access

We welcome all disabled persons at The Elms. The practice is built with facilities that provide easy access to the reception, including a permanent ramp, wide front door and automatic electronic internal door, large waiting area and consultation rooms. The door to the corridor to the consulting rooms is a fire door, therefore has to be kept closed. Staff members on reception will always be on hand to open this door when help is needed. We also have disabled access to the toilet facilities. There is access to a wheelchair in the surgery for the frail and the elderly should they wish to receive assistance. Part of the reception counter is at wheelchair height to allow for easy use. If a patient is identified as requiring help during their visit, a receptionist will inform the clinician and the patient will be met and escorted to the consulting room.

Baby Changing and Feeding Facilities

We have facilities for mothers who wish to feed their babies in the surgery. We also provide changing facilities for babies. Please ask at reception for help and information.

Car Parking

We have 29 parking spaces and 10 GP parking spaces. There is designated disabled Car Parking at the side of the building away from the busiest part of the carpark. These are clearly marked and wider than standard parking spaces for wheelchair access if needed. There is limited public parking on Stewart Road to the left of the entrance with a no return within 2 hours allowance.

Translation Facilities

We respect patient confidentiality and dignity and therefore for non-English speakers or people who need help with English the practice offers a translation service.

Clinicians and Staff have access to ‘Signheath’. This is a new software package developed by the Department of Health to assist communication between GPs, practice staff and people who use British Sign Language.

Waiting Room

We have a large waiting area for our patients. We provide children books and magazines. We have a large plasma screen which is kept up to date with a huge host of patient information, services and advice. Various patient information and advice leaftlets are also available for patients to take home. The floor in the waiting room and corridors are all non-slip.

Blood Pressure and Scales

We have a self-administering blood pressure monitor in the waiting room with full information how to use. Receptionists are trained and always at hand to help with this. There are also weighing scales in the corridor which allows for height and weight so patients can find out their up to date BMI.

Security

The Elms premises has CCTV and covered by 24 hour alarmed entry system. All Clinical rooms, reception area and administration rooms are also fitted with panic alarms.

The fire alarm has both flashing beacons and alarm bells to make everyone aware if there is a fire. All staff have regular fire training and fire drills.